Cost of rat tumor removal?

As you can read in my previous post, we recently discovered a grape-sized tumor on our rat. We took him to the vet this morning, and they think it is a mammary tumor. Since these are pretty common and usually benign, we are going to have it removed.

The vet--which is one of the only small animal vets in the Chicago area--has been great in the past. We had both of our rabbits neutered there and they treated our mouse when he had a URI.

However, they are quoting us $750 to have the tumor removed from the rat. Of course, that doesn't count the $100 we paid for today's check-up.

Is that a normal rate? After looking online, that seems like it may be a bit high. Any advice would be appreciated!

That is way too high. I haven't had to get that type of surgery for my rats, but I can tell you that most people I've heard of with tumor removal experience quote between $100-250. The fact that your vet charges $100 for a checkup is also absurd. A good vet really shouldn't cost more than $55-65 for a regular checkup visit. I'd call around and get some more quotes.

Let's see, that seems high to me. And I thought my vet was expensive!
I have never had a tumor removed, but I did have an abscess drained and removed and that was about $150, so that does seem quite a bit high to me.

I would definitely ask for a "break down" of the bill before hand, and if your Vet won't do this, look elsewhere. You want to know what the costs of everything are. My rat Poppi is having a tumor removed on Monday, and the total cost is going to be $275. $75 for anithesia (SP?) $100 for surgery, $50 "office visit" -for after care-$25 2 wk AB round and $25 Medical Disposal Fee.

So call and ask them to break down the charges before hand, and you can call Vets not listed in the Phone Book as exotics vets, some vets see small animals, but do not consider them selves exotics vets, but you are kinda taking a risk there!!! And you can always ask them if they will take so much down, and to be put on a payment scheduele, if you are an established client, they are more likely to do this! The worse they can tell you is NO.

I know my vet is expensive,and I can't see even him charging that much for a tumor removal. My family makes a decent living, but I know I couldn't afford an almost $800 dollars on a routine surgery for my rat. Resisting urge for tired old Chicago mafia comment....and I failed. Oy.

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Hanging out in the Land of New Feetsies:
Melon, Skinner, Black Pete, Zanna, Custard, Tucker, Jeffrey, Zmei, and Windham.

It may seem exorbitant, but vets in large cities are also paying out the wazoo for rent, staff, and other things that may be much cheaper in a less urban environment.

Just as an example, an apartment rental tool gives me a range of $600-$1400 to live in Raleigh (our big city). Pulling up a rental map in Chicago gives me a range of $1400-$2800 for a two bedroom apartment. A vet also has to eat that cost difference, unfortunately.

__________________We are as gods to the beasts of the fields. We order the time o' their birth and the time o' their death. Between times, we ha' a duty. - Terry Pratchett.

"Men have forgotten this truth", said the fox, "But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

It may seem exorbitant, but vets in large cities are also paying out the wazoo for rent, staff, and other things that may be much cheaper in a less urban environment.

Just as an example, an apartment rental tool gives me a range of $600-$1400 to live in Raleigh (our big city). Pulling up a rental map in Chicago gives me a range of $1400-$2800 for a two bedroom apartment. A vet also has to eat that cost difference, unfortunately.

This is exactly what I was going to mention. It's going to vary per vet based on the local area.

Driving a bit out of town might be beneficial for your budget, if you can find someone trustworthy.

I would call around, I think thats too high personally and I live in Toronto where things cost quite a bit more than in the US. I used to get tumors removed from my personal rats for about $350.00 or less.

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To the world you are only one person, to your rat you are the World
- anonymous -

I'm used to vet expenses being a little more in Chicagoland. However, after calling around, that price was high for the city, too.

Either way, we went through with the surgery on Monday. I trust that vet and they have a excellent reputation. So, for us, it was worth the extra cost to have it done quickly and done well.

More importantly, Mochi made it through surgery and he's recovering now! He seems to be a little more active today, though a bit nippy. He's probably in pain. I am making him mashed sweet potatoes (his favorite) and, yesterday, that is all he would eat. He has about 15 staples up the side of his tummy and it looks painful. I'm hoping he heals quickly!

Also, we are having to house him separate from his brother. I feel so bad. It's obvious the miss each other and I'm worried that the 10 days apart will cause problems when we try to put them back together again. Right now, their cage are pushed right up against one another.